Drunk Driving Simulator

A mobile VR driving simulator that lets young drivers experience the dangers of impaired driving, safely and realistically.

Other cases

OneBonsai partnered with Responsible Young Drivers to design a mobile VR driving simulator that demonstrates the dangers of impaired driving to young people. The simulator combines a real steering wheel and immersive virtual environments filled with traffic, pedestrians, and road challenges, allowing participants to experience first-hand how alcohol or substances like laughing gas impact their reactions and decision-making. This engaging, realistic training tool has become a powerful way to raise awareness, promote safer behavior, and reduce road risks among young drivers.

Challenge

Raising Awareness of Impaired Driving Risks

Solution

A Realistic Impairment Simulation with a Mobile Driving Simulator

Approach

Bringing Realism to Mobile Simulation

Outcome

Enhanced Awareness and Behavioral Change

Challenge

Raising Awareness of Impaired Driving Risks

Responsible Young Drivers approached us with a mission to educate young people, often teenagers and those in their early twenties, about the real impact of impaired driving. The challenge was that many young drivers didn’t fully grasp how even small amounts of alcohol or other substances, like laughing gas, could drastically reduce their driving safety. Traditional methods of explaining these dangers weren’t always convincing or memorable enough, so the goal was to create a realistic driving simulator that could vividly show them just how these impairments affect their skills and decision-making behind the wheel.

“Young drivers don’t always realize how substances impair their reactions, and traditional road safety lessons weren’t getting through.”

Solution

A Realistic Impairment Simulation with a Mobile Driving Simulator

To tackle this challenge, we developed a fully immersive driving simulator that combines a real steering wheel, high-end visuals, and a detailed virtual environment filled with pedestrians, traffic, and all the typical road elements. This simulator is designed to be mobile so it can be transported to various locations. In it, participants can experience first-hand how drinking even a small amount or using substances like laughing gas affects their driving. This makes the risks incredibly tangible and memorable, giving young drivers a powerful lesson in a controlled, safe setting.

APPROACH

Bringing Realism to Mobile Simulation

We took a practical approach by designing a fully mobile driving simulator that could be easily transported to schools, events, and other community locations. We recreated a realistic driving environment with a high level of detail, including traffic, pedestrians, and road signs, to ensure participants would feel like they were truly on the road. We also incorporated physical elements like a real steering wheel and a car-like simulator setup to enhance the tactile realism. This approach ensured that young drivers could vividly experience the effects of impairment in a controlled but realistic scenario, making the lesson both impactful and easy to take on the road.

“It felt so real—I never realized how much alcohol could slow down my reactions until I tried this.”

Outcome

The outcome of this project has been a resounding success. The mobile simulator has been used at numerous locations, allowing Responsible Young Drivers to effectively demonstrate the dangers of impaired driving in a way that really resonates with young people. Participants have walked away with a much deeper understanding of how substances impact their driving abilities, leading to more responsible behavior on the road. The project has even expanded to include simulations for other substances like laughing gas, and it's paving the way for future expansions. Overall, it’s making a real difference in promoting safer driving habits.